Any type of telescope can be used for astrophotography, as long as it has a solid mount and a clock drive. To attach a 35mm SLR camera securely to the telescope, you need the proper adapters.

Piggyback Camera Adapters
Allow the camera to ride on the telescope "piggyback style," taking advantage of the telescope’s equatorial mount and clock drive (but not its optical system). The adapter attaches to the telescope’s optical tube and provides a platform with a 1/4"-20 threaded post on which to mount the camera.

T-Rings
Convert the lens mount on a camera body to a standard "T-thread" that can accept a T-adapter or universal camera adapter for prime-focus or eyepiece-projection photography. T-rings are available for most camera brands.

T-Adapters
Used for prime-focus photography, either terrestrial or short-exposure astronomical, with Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov- Cassegrain telescopes. The adapters screw on to the rear cell of the telescope, replacing the visual back. At the camera end of the adapter is a T-thread, which allows attachment of a camera body fitted with a T-ring. T-adapters mount more securely than slide-fit universal camera adapters, and thus are recommended over universal models if available.

Universal Camera Adapters
Permit coupling of a 35mm camera to reflecting or refracting telescopes. These adapters slide into the telescope’s focuser like an eyepiece, and thread into the T-ring on the camera. Most models consist of two detachable components, for use in either prime-focus or eyepiece-projection applications.

Tele-Extenders
Required for eyepiece-projection photography with Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. They allow higher-magnification projections than can be achieved with a regular T-adapter. They’re especially useful for lunar and planetary photography, or long-distance terrestrial close-ups. One end threads over the eyepiece holder, or visual back, of the telescope (with eyepiece in place). The other end couples to the T-ring on your camera.

Astro-images taken through a telescope on a tracking mount provide breathtaking color and detail that you just can't see with your eyes alone. The astro-images on our web site demonstrate the imaging capabilities of the products used and are not intended to represent what you will see when you look through a telescope.
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Have you ever wanted to take a picture of what you were viewing through your telescope? The Orion SteadyPix Deluxe Camera Mount lets you! It securely holds most point-and-shoot cameras up to an eyepiece for afocal photography of celestial objects.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, and reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!